After 2yrs and ~38K miles of hardship.. er.. I mean ownership, I decided a few days ago I better drop and check the spare tire on our 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan SE.
For those that aren't aware, the spare on ~2012+ (not positive on the year it started) Grand Caravan/Town and Country vans are winch supported under the van, centered between the front seats. The hex nut that actuates the winch is accessed through the floor and center console if so equipped. On our more basic SE model, we have the small, between the seats console which I removed for easier pass-through given the constant kid mayhem and such. A tool kit stowed in the hatch area allows you to crank the spare down. The spare comes down in a form-fitting plastic bowl with enough cable slack to slide the plastic housing and tire out the side of the van. There's two spring loaded fingers on the winch hub that you squeeze inward to release the winch cable from the spare tire wheel hub.
I had a bit of dirt and gravel on the spare and in the holder, but not as bad as I thought. What I could see of the cable and associated hardware looked shiny and new yet, but I sprayed it all down with spray lube anyway.
The spare tire is a scary bike tire looking donut, inflated to 60psig.
I cleaned the tire/wheel, carrier, checked pressure and put it back to normal.
The only tip I have is, when you're cranking the assembly back up, make sure the spare tire carrier lines up correctly and slides under the top cover properly. The top cover should overlap the tire carrier to make it a more weather proof assembly and seat-up properly.
It's a real easy process in your driveway. I couldn't imagine it in the dark, under inclement conditions. Ugh..
For those that aren't aware, the spare on ~2012+ (not positive on the year it started) Grand Caravan/Town and Country vans are winch supported under the van, centered between the front seats. The hex nut that actuates the winch is accessed through the floor and center console if so equipped. On our more basic SE model, we have the small, between the seats console which I removed for easier pass-through given the constant kid mayhem and such. A tool kit stowed in the hatch area allows you to crank the spare down. The spare comes down in a form-fitting plastic bowl with enough cable slack to slide the plastic housing and tire out the side of the van. There's two spring loaded fingers on the winch hub that you squeeze inward to release the winch cable from the spare tire wheel hub.
I had a bit of dirt and gravel on the spare and in the holder, but not as bad as I thought. What I could see of the cable and associated hardware looked shiny and new yet, but I sprayed it all down with spray lube anyway.
The spare tire is a scary bike tire looking donut, inflated to 60psig.
I cleaned the tire/wheel, carrier, checked pressure and put it back to normal.
The only tip I have is, when you're cranking the assembly back up, make sure the spare tire carrier lines up correctly and slides under the top cover properly. The top cover should overlap the tire carrier to make it a more weather proof assembly and seat-up properly.
It's a real easy process in your driveway. I couldn't imagine it in the dark, under inclement conditions. Ugh..